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The U.S.-Japan Space Partnership: A Shared, Evolving Mission
On December 10, 2020, Sasakawa USA welcomed Dr. Masami Onoda, Director of the JAXA Washington D.C. Office and Mr. Kimitake Nakamura, Minister at the Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C. for a virtual roundtable to address recent developments in the U.S.-Japan partnership in space exploration, including JAXA Astronaut Dr. Soichi Noguchi’s flight to the International Space Station on SpaceX Crew-1 and JAXA Astronaut Mr. Akihiko Hoshide’s planned flight on SpaceX Crew-2 next spring.
Central Bank Digital Currencies: Viewpoints from Tokyo and Washington
On December 8, Sasakawa USA welcomed Dr. Robert Dohner, Nonresident Senior Fellow at The Atlantic Council, Mr. Ichiro Oishi, Minister of Financial Affairs at the Embassy of Japan in Washington DC, and Mr. Yasuhiro Yamai, Managing Director of Corporate Planning at Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, for a virtual roundtable on central bank digital currencies (CBDC). The panel analyzed key questions surrounding debates by major central banks on the introduction of CBDC, including how the U.S. and Japan could work together on this issue based on viewpoints from both the public and private sectors.
Japanese War Brides: Bridges in the Post-War Alliance
On December 3, 2020, Sasakawa USA hosted Ms. Kathryn Tolbert, an editor at the Washington Post, and Col. (Ret.) Jyuji Hewitt for a virtual seminar. Ms. Tolbert used materials from her Japanese War Brides oral history project to discuss the role of Japanese women who married American GIs following World War II as bridges in Japan’s transition from wartime enemy to ally. Col. (Ret.) Jyuji Hewitt, whose family’s story has been preserved through the Japanese War Brides project, offered a personal perspective on the impact of the war brides on U.S.-Japan relations.
The Suga Administration: Balancing Continuity and Reform
On October 26, 2020, Sasakawa USA welcomed Dr. Gerald Curtis, Burgess Professor Emeritus at Columbia University, for a virtual roundtable. Dr. Curtis discussed recent political developments in Japan with a focus on Prime Minister Suga and his new administration. In addition to reviewing Prime Minister Suga’s first month in office, Dr. Curtis assessed what major challenges await the Suga administration and shared his insights on the future of U.S.-Japan relations.
Advancing Diversity and Inclusion During COVID-19
On October 1, 2020, Sasakawa USA was pleased to host Minister Yoko Kamikawa, recently selected to serve as the Minister of Justice for the new cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. In this virtual roundtable, Min. Kamikawa discussed the impact of COVID-19 on women in Japan, women’s leadership in business and politics in Japan, and how Japan can increase diversity in political leadership during COVID-19.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Accomplishments: Having Worked with Him for 8 Long Years
On September 15, 2020, Sasakawa USA welcomed Dr. Tomohiko Taniguchi, former Special Advisor to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Cabinet, to discuss the accomplishments of Prime Minister Abe, highlighting both his domestic and international political agenda achievement. This virtual event was concluded with a robust Q&A discussion moderated by Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, Chairman and President of Sasakawa USA.
“Rekishi no Kyokun” Author Talk with Prof. Nobukatsu Kanehara
On August 26, 2020, Sasakawa USA welcomed Prof. Nobukatsu Kanehara, Faculty of Law Department of Political Science at Doshisha University, to discuss his new book, Rekishi no Kyokun, a historical analysis of Japan’s foreign policy. Through his talk, Prof. Kanehara explained to participants how various failures in Japan’s past led to Japanese strategies of the present.
Challenges posed by COVID-19: Japan, the U.S., and International Coordination
On July 30, 2020, Sasakawa USA hosted a virtual roundtable with Prof. Keizo Takemi, Member, House of Councillors the National Diet of Japan, who is a leading expert of public health in the Liberal Democratic Party. Prof. Takemi discussed his views on challenges posed by COVID-19, Japan’s experience in dealing with the crisis, and the importance of international cooperation, particularly from the viewpoint of the U.S.-Japan relationship. Prof. Michael Reich, Taro Takemi Research Professor of International Health Policy at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, then provided commentary on Prof. Takemi’s analysis.
New Force Design for the Marine Corps and its Implications to the U.S-Japan Alliance
On July 9, 2020, Sasakawa USA held a virtual meeting to analyze General Berger’s new strategic vision and its implication to the U.S. Japan alliance in the Asia Pacific theater. The event began with a presentation by LtGen Wallace “Chip” Gregson, USMC (Ret.) who described the nature of the major strategic changes to the Marine Corps, its implications for the U.S.-Japan Alliance, and what needs to be done to achieve these goals from his perspective. His presentation was followed with commentary by LtGen Lawrence Nicholson, USMC (Ret.) and LtGen Koichiro Bansho, JGSDF (Ret.).
Tabletop Exercise (TTX) Pacific Trident III: Invitation-Only Briefing
On June 16, 2020, Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA welcomed four distinguished panelists to discuss the findings and recommendations of Sasakawa USA’s unclassified Tabletop Exercise (TTX) Pacific Trident III. The four panelists were Admiral Dennis Blair, USN (Ret.), Rear Admiral Michael McDevitt (Ret.), Ms. Kelly Magsamen, and Nr. Nobukatsu Kanehara. This talk was presented through Sasakawa USA’s Policy Briefing Series and held virtually via Zoom.